Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Reflections for the trip
I thank God for this life-changing experience, for His protection for the team throughout the whole trip, and for His presence during the trip.
As shared in my last post, I wasn't really prepared mentally and spiritually to go for this trip. It was 51% submission and 49% obedience, so it wasn't a wholehearted effort to go and bless the community. To be frank, the last mission trip didn't impress upon me a deep compassion for the people. So, I headed this trip with much caution, availing myself more as a functional leader than a missionary. Nevertheless, God was full of mercy and opened my eyes and heart to receive His compassion for His people.
I am very inspired by the tireless effort put in by the pastors and workers working with the Orang Asli community; their tenacity and dedication to the people and to God is something worthy to be emulated in my own life. Their love for God is practically acted out by their love for the people. Hearing some of the pastors' and workers' life testimony, they could have chosen an alternate path, but in obedience to God they gave up what they had and followed His calling to serve. What commendable spirit!
If I had not gone for this trip, I wouldn't have had the chance to see for myself what God's love can do. God's love transformed one pastor's life from one of decadence and rebellion against God to one of commitment and stubbornness for God; God's love cemented another pastor's commitment to serve the Orang Asli people regardless of whatever obstacles he faces. God's love brought strangers from two lands together under one roof and united them together in spirit. God's love reminded me that Jesus not only died for me, but for all people, and it is His desire to see all saved—regardless of language, culture or skin color.
I will be going back to serve the Orang Asli community again.
As shared in my last post, I wasn't really prepared mentally and spiritually to go for this trip. It was 51% submission and 49% obedience, so it wasn't a wholehearted effort to go and bless the community. To be frank, the last mission trip didn't impress upon me a deep compassion for the people. So, I headed this trip with much caution, availing myself more as a functional leader than a missionary. Nevertheless, God was full of mercy and opened my eyes and heart to receive His compassion for His people.
I am very inspired by the tireless effort put in by the pastors and workers working with the Orang Asli community; their tenacity and dedication to the people and to God is something worthy to be emulated in my own life. Their love for God is practically acted out by their love for the people. Hearing some of the pastors' and workers' life testimony, they could have chosen an alternate path, but in obedience to God they gave up what they had and followed His calling to serve. What commendable spirit!
If I had not gone for this trip, I wouldn't have had the chance to see for myself what God's love can do. God's love transformed one pastor's life from one of decadence and rebellion against God to one of commitment and stubbornness for God; God's love cemented another pastor's commitment to serve the Orang Asli people regardless of whatever obstacles he faces. God's love brought strangers from two lands together under one roof and united them together in spirit. God's love reminded me that Jesus not only died for me, but for all people, and it is His desire to see all saved—regardless of language, culture or skin color.
I will be going back to serve the Orang Asli community again.
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